Tobacco-hanging machine



March 24, 1925.

G. Ri HAWKS TOBACCO HANQING MACHINE Filed April 14. 1924 5 sheds-sheet 1 Swanton (fw/ffy@ 72 Haz/VFS.

Manchu, 1925. j 1,530L939 Y G. R. HAWKS TOBACCO HANGING MACHINE Filed Apnil 14, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 attain/uf z m%fl N\ llll N mlb @n m March 24, 1925.

G. R. HAWKS TOBACCO HANGXNG MACHI'NE 5 Sheets-Sheat S Filed April 14, 1924 aucun? Much 24,1925.

G. R. HAwKs TOBACCO HANGING MACHINE Filed April 14,' 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 G. R. HAWKS TOBACCO HANGING MACHINE Filed April 14, 1924 March 24 5 sheets-sheet 5 ation/mg Patented Mar. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES GEORGE It. HAWKS, OF LODI, WISCONSIN.

TOBACCO-HANGING- MACHINE.

Applicaton iled April 14, 1924. Serial No. 706,528.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE It. HAwKs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lodi, in the county of Columbia and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Tobacco- Hanging Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in tobacco hanging machines wherein the stems of leaves of tobacco are automatically strung upon laths preparatory to placing the same with the tobacco strung thereon in drying sheds or barns.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a tobacco hanging machine of the above mentioned char acter, wherein means is provided for clamping the stems of the tobacco leaves on a supporting table whereby a lath may be actuated to pierce all of the stems, means being further provided for automatically releasing the clamping means and raising the tobacco leaves supporting table to a discharging position so that the leaves and the lath upon which the same are strung may be elevated to permit the same to be supported in a suspended position within a -drying barn or shed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tobacco hanging machine of the character described wherein means is provided for feeding one lath at a time to the traveling carriage which moves forwardly so as to cause the laths to be brought into engagement with the stems of the leaves extending outwardly from the forward edge of a supporting table, a removable spear or impaling member being further removably associated with the forward end of the lath so as to facilitate the ready insertion thereof through the stems of the tobacco leaves.

A further object is to provide a tobacco hanging machine of the above mentioned character, wherein the operation of the traveling carriage which carries the lath automatically releases the tobacco stem clamping lever, simultaneously raising the supporting table to a discharging position and releasing the spear from the forward end of the lath when the carriage is in the forward end of the frame.

An equallyT important object of the invention is to provide a tobacco hanging machine of the above mentioned character, which will be automatic in its operation,

and which will further save considerable time and labor in stringing tobacco upon laths preparatory to hanging the same in drying sheds or barns.

A still further object is to provide a tobacco hanging machine of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and furthermore adapted for the purposes for which it is designated.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in whichy like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved tobacco hanging machine.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure i is a front end elevation.

Figure 5 is a rear end elevation.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 6 6 of Figure l.

Figure 7 is a transverse section taken approximately on line 7-7 of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a detail plan view of the spear head or impaling member.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detail view of the lath supporting means provided on the carriage.

Figure l() is a fragmentary plan view of the hopper and the lath supporting means on the carriage.

Figure 1l is a sectional view taken approximately on line ll-ll of Figure 1.

Figure l2 :is a fragmentary side elevation of the lath supporting member carried bv the carriage, and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary detail view of the lath supporting means showing the trip member associated therewith.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral l designates a stationary frame, substantially rectangular in design in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. I-Iingedly supported at its rear ends as shown at 2 in the drawings and arranged in the forward end of the frame 1 is the tobacco leaf supporting table designated by the numeral 3. The purpose of hingedly supporting the table in the forward end of the frame will hereinafter be more fully described. Supported on the forward end of the frame 1 and disposed in front of the forward edge of the table 3 are the spaced plates 4 and 5, respectively, the same being provided with aligning cut out portions shown at 6 and 7, respectively, and the cut out portions being arranged in spaced relation in the manner as illustrated in Figures l and 2 of the drawings.

The purpose of the spaced plates 4f and 5 and the cut out portions provided in the upper edges thereof is to provide a means for receiving the outer ends of the leaves of tobacco which extend outwardly from the forward edge of the table 3 on which the same are placed. For the purpose of holding the stems of the tobacco leaves within the aligning cut out portions provided in the uprper edges of the spaced plates 4; and 5 respectively I provide a clamping means, the construction of which will be presently described.

The clamping means comprises a plurality of pivoted clamping lingers such as is shown at 8, each finger being pivoted at 9 adjacent the respective notches or cut out portions 7 provided in the outer plate 5, in the manner as clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. The ends of the clamping lingers are provided with lateral extensions such as are shown at 10 and through which extends the longitudinally extending rod 11. The forward end of the rod 11 is connected by means of a link 12 to an actuating lever 13 which is pivoted at 14; adjacent its lower end on the frame 1, the upper end of the lever 13 acting as a handle for controlling the operation of the clamping lingers in the manner to be presently set forth.

Carried by the rod 11 are the lugs 15 which engage the lateral extensions 10 provided on the ends of the clamping` lingers, and the purpose of the same is to provide a means for causing the lingers to be moved into clamping position when the lever 13 is moved rearwardly, so that the upper ends of the clamping lingers will engage the ends of the stems which protrude beyond the forward edge of the table and through the aligning cut out portions provided in the upper edges of the plates. For the purpose of holding the clamping lingers in engage` ment with the stems of the tobacco leaves, I provide a keeper 16 which engages the lever 13 and holds the same in a rearwardly moved position. rIhe clamping lingers are adapted to be automatically returned to their normal positions when the lever 13 is released from the keeper 16 by means of the coil springs 17 which are disposed around the rod 11 and are arranged between the lugs and the lateral extensions 10 of the clamping lingers. `Lugs 18 similar to the lugs 15 are provided on the rod 11 on the opposite side of each of the lateral extensions of the clamping lingers to provide a means for limiting the forward movement of the rod and lever connected thereto and further assisting in returning the clamping lingers to their normal positions.

Extending longitudinally on the front face of the frame 1 are the upper and lower spaced bars 19 and 2O respectively. The inner opposed faces of the bars are provided with cooperating grooves such as are shown at 21 and 22 respectively in the drawings and the purpose of this construction is to provide a guide means for the traveling carriage designated generally by the numeral 23. The upper bar 19 is disposed between the spaced plates 4 and 5 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings, thereby providing a means for supporting the outer plate 5 in position. The carriage 23 is provided with the longitudinally extending slot 21 and around which extends the rack gear Adapted to cooperate with the rack gear 25 for the purpose of moving the carriage 23 in either direction on the frame 1 is the pinion 26. This construction however will be hereinafter more fully described.

Arranged on the rear end of the frame 1 is the magazine or hopper and the same comprises a pair of vertically arranged channel spaced members 27 and 2S respectively, between which are adapted to be received the laths which are used for string ing the tobacco leaves and the laths are designated by the numeral 29.

Carried by the rear end of the carriage 23 and adapted to be disposed above the upper bar 19 is the lath receiving and supporting block 30. The block 30 has its forward end provided-with a cut away portion as is illustrated at 31 wherein the rear end of the lath 29 is supported in such a position as to enable the same to be moved forwardly with the carriage on the frame 1. The block 30 is spaced from the lower end of the channel shaped member 23 which forms a portion of the magazine or hopper in which the laths are supported and the purpose of this construction is to provide a means for receiving and supporting a feeding means whereby one lath at a time may be fed or delivered to the block 30. The feeding means comprises a star wheel such as is shown at 32 and the same is pivotally supported at 33 in a suitable bracket 34. The star wheel is adapted to be actuated by a trip lever 35 which is pivotally supported at 36 in the bracket 37 carried by the block 30 and the trip lever is actuated when the carriage 23 is in the rear end of the frame in the manner as will hereinafter be more fully described. The operation of the star wheel by the trip lever 35 causes one lath at a time to be delivered into the pocket 31 formed on the forward portion of the block 30. The forward end of the lath 29 is adapted to be supported in a suitable pocket 38 provided in the spear head or impaling member 39. The construction of this member is clearly illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings. The spear head 39 is provided with the longitudinally extending flanges 40 and 41 respectively, the same extending laterally lon opposite sides of the spear head and are adapted to be received in suitable guide grooves 42 and 43 respectively provided in the inner opposed faces of the. spaced plates 4 and 5 respectively.

The lath supporting' block 30 also carries the forwardly extending rod 44. The rod 44 further carries thereon the member 45, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully described. Carried by the forward end of the rod 44 is the spear head engaging and supporting member 46, the same being pivotally supported on the bracket 47 and suitable guide grooves, such as is shown at 48 and 49 respectively are provided in the inner opposed faces. of the plates 4 and 5 for cooperation with the bracket 47 for holding the same in proper position when the carriage reciprocates back and forth in the frame. The spear head engaging and supporting member 46 pivotally carries thereon the lever 50. The purpose and operation of the spear head engaging and supporting member will be more fully described later.

Pivotally supported on the upper bar 19 adjacent the forward end thereof are the lingers 51. Also arranged on the upper face of the, upper bar 19 at the extreme forward end thereof is the inclined guide 52. The inclined guide 52 is adapted to cooperate with the spear head engaging and supporting member 46 for the purpose of auto matically moving the same to an operative position for engaging with the spear head after the latter has been disengaged from the forward end of the lath 29 by means of the fingers 51 in the manner as will be apparent from the following description of the operation of the device.

Extending transversely in the frame 1 is the drive shaft 53. The outer end of the shaft 53 has a suitable pulley 54 mounted thereon whereby the same may be connected to any suitable source of power for operating the same. Also extending transversely across the frame 1 and disposed adjacent the intermediate portion of the frame is the shaft 55, the forward end of which carries the pinion 26 heretofore described while the rear end is connected by a universal joint such as is shown at 56 to the short section of shafting` 57. The outer end of the shaft 57 extends through the rear portion of the frame and carries thereon a suitable sprocket wheel which is in alignment with a similar sprocket wheel mounted on the drive shaft 53 and over which is trained thc sprocket chain 58, whereby the shaft 55 and the pinion 26 carried on the forward end thereof may be rotated by the operation of the shaft 53.

Extending longitudinally in the frame 1 and journaled at its respective ends in the transverse cross bars 59 and 60 respectively is the shaft 61, this shaft 61 and the transverse cross bars supporting the same are arranged within the forward end of the frame `1 and the rear end of the shaft 61 carries thereon the beveled gear 62 which is adapted to mesh with the beveled gear 63 carried by the drive shaft 53. The construction of these features are more clearly illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings.

Journaled in the forward end of the frame 1 is the rock shaft 64 and carried by one end thereof and adapted to extend within the path of the carriage 23 is the rocker arm 65. Slidably supported on the longitudinally extending shaft 61 is the clutch member 66, and the same is adapted to co operate with the pin 67 extending upwardly from. the shaft 61 whereby the clutch member may be keyed to the shaft 61 so as to rotate therewith. The clutch member 66 is adapted to be moved into engagement with the pin 67 by means of the yoked lever 68 which is pivotally supported at 69 on the cross bar 70 which extends between the transversely arranged members 71 and 7 2 respectively. The yoked lever 68 is connected to the rocker shaft 64 by means of the rod 73 so as to be operated by the actuation of the rocker arm and the rocker shaft against the tension of the spring 74.

Journaled on the transverse members 71 and 72 respectively :is the shaft 75 and car ried by the shaft is a sprocket wheel 76 which is in yalignment with the sprocket wheel 77 carried by the clutch member 66, and a suitable sprocket chain such as is shown at 7 S extends over the aligning sprocket wheel so as to transmit motion from the shaft 61, on which the clutch member 66 is carried, to the shaft when the clutch member is in engagement with the pin 67.

Mounted on the outer ends of the shaft 75 are the cranks 79 and the same are connected to the levers 80. The upper ends of the levers 80 are secured to the sides of the tobacco table 3 in the manner as clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 7 of the drawings. TheJ purpose of this construction is to provide. a means for automatically raising the tobacco table upwardly from the frame on its hinge 2 so that the same will be moved to a discharging position to cooperate with an elevator or the like to be presently described.

The elevator comprises a pair of spaced rails 81 and 82 respectively, the lower ends of which are supported on the upper ends of the vertically extending spaced standards 83 and 84 respectively. The shaft 85 which extends through the lower ends of the side rails and the upper ends of the standards are provided with suitable sprocket wheels which are in alignment with the sprocket wheels 86 carried by the shaft 61 and over which are adapted to be trained the sprocket chains 87. Additional sprocket wheels are provided on theJ shaft 85 which are adapted to cooperate with similar sprocket wheels provided on shafts supported in the upper ends of the side rails (not shown) and over which are adapted to trave-l the endless chains 8S. Arranged on the endless chains 88 are the finger retaining lugs 89, the purpose of which will be presently described.

The operation of my improved tobacco hanging machine may be briefly stated as follows: Normally the carriage is in the rear end of the frame and the clamping fingers are out of engagement with the cut out portions 7 of the outer p-late T lie tobacco to be strung on the. laths is placed on the table in such a manner as to have a number of strips of tobacco extending transversely across the frame in such a maimer as to have the stems of the leaves of the tobacco receivable in the cut out portions of the plates and the outer ends of the stems eX- tending slightly beyond. the outer face of the plate 5. The clamp actuating lever 13 is then moved inwardly so that the lugs 15 on the rod 11 will engage the clamping lingers in the manner heretofore described causing` the upper ends thereof to come, in contact with the outer ends of the stems of the tobacco leaves and secure the same in position against the plate 5. The keeper 16 will hold the lever 13 in a locked position and the carriage is then in aposition to be operated forwardly iu the frame.

`With one of the laths supported at its rear end in the pocket 31 provided in the block 30, and the forward end of the vlath supported in the pocket. provided in the spear head 39, the" rotation of the shaft will simultaneously cause the operation of the shaft 55 and cause the cog wheel or pinion 26 mounted on the forward end thereof to engage the rack gear moving t-he carriage forwardly between the upper and lower bars 19 and 22 so that the carriage will be moved iorwardly on the fra-me simultaneously moving the spear head between the guide grooves 42 and 43 provided in the inner opposed faces of the plates 4 and 5 in the manner heretofore described and also carrying therewith the block 30. As the spear head moves between the spaced plates 4 and 5, the pointed end thereof will pierce the stems of the tobacco leaves extending across the plates and will also cause the laths 29 supported at its respective ends in the spear head and block to also extend through the severalstems of the leaves. The forward movement of the block 30 causes a similar movement to the spear head engaging and supporting member 46 together with the pivoted lever 50 carried thereby, it being understood that the latter will fold back on the under face of the member 46 as the same moves forwardly on the upper bar 19.

Vhen the spear head 39 has passed through all of the stems of the leaves, the trip member 90 carried by the forward end of the carriage 23 will engage the lever 13 causing the same to be released from engagement with the keeper 16 and simultaneously releasing the clamping lingers from engagement with the outer ends of the stems of the tobacco leaves. The member 45 carried by the rod 44 engages the finger 51, the latter will be caused to move upwardly into engagement with the rear end of the spear head 89, thus disengaging the forward end of the lath which extends through the stems of the leaves of tobacco.

The further forward movement of the carriage 23 will cause the engagement of the same with the rocker arm and as heretofore stated the operation of the rocker arm 65 and the rocker shaft 64 upon which the same is mounted will move the clutch 66 into engagement with the pins 67 whereby a shaft is actuated and the operation of the crank arms 79 will cause an upward movement of the levers 80 and the latter will simultaneously raise the table 3 upwardly on its hinge 2 carrying therewith the leaves of tobacco and the laths which extend through the stems thereof. Then the table is in its uppermost position, the laths will be caused to be engaged by the projections 89 carried -by the sprocket chains 88 whereby the laths and leaves of tobacco carried thereby will be moved up` wardly so that the same may be supported in a suspended position within. a, drying barn or shed (not shown).

The spear head engaging member 46 will ride upon the inclined member 52 when the carriage is in its forwardmost position and the spear head engaging member will engage the pointed end of the spear and hold the saine against accidental. displacement from between the cooperating grooves 42 and 43 provided in the plates 4 and 5 respectively. The lever 50 associated with the spear head engaging member 46 will ride on the upper face of the bar 19 holding the spear head engaging member in engagement with the spear head so that the latter may be moved rearwardly when the carriage is returned to its normal position. Upon a complete revolution of the crank arms 7 9 of the shaft 7 5, the cam 91 on the shaft 75 will cooperate with the inner free end of the yolred lever (3S and with the assistance of a spring 7 4 will return the rocker shaft and the tobacco table to their normal positions. The engagement of the carriage with the lever 13 will further cause the actuation of the elongated rod 92 which is connected to the lever 93, the latter being carried by the shaft 55 and the purpose thereof is to provide a means for enabling the carriage to be returned to its normal position in the rear end of the frame. The rearward mo-vement of the carriage 23 will cause the trip lever 35, pivotally supported on the block 30 to engage the star wheel 32 whereby another lath will be taken from the magazine or hopper and deposited in the pocket 31 provided in the forward portion of the block and the spear head 39. The operation is then repeated. It is to be understood of course that when the spear head 39 is in its normal position in the manner shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, the lever 50 which is pivotally carried by the spear head engaging member 46 will return to its normal posi-tion in a suitable cut out portion 94 provided in the upper bar 19, thereby moving the spear head engaging member out of cooperation with the spear head.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description, that a tobacco hanging machine has been provided which will save considerable time and labor in Stringing stalks of tobacco on laths preparatory to supporting the same in a suspended position in drying barns or houses such as is well known in the art. The simplicity in which my machine is constructed enables the same to be operated eiiiciently and the action of its several parts will at all times be positive 'to insure the proper cooperation in carrying out the objects of the present invention. A machine of this character may be operated at a very low cost and will be further strong and durable.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims` Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a tobacco hangin machine, a frame, a tobacco supporting table, clamping means for holding the ends of the stems of the tobacco beyond the edge of the supporting table, a carriage movable on said frame, a lath carried by said carriage and adapted t0 pass through the ends of said stems of the tobacco, means for releasing said clamping means, and means for releasing said lath from said carriage when the latter is in the forward end of said frame.

2. In a tobacco hanging machine, a frame, a tobacco supporting table, clamping means for holding the ends of the stems of the tobacco beyond the edge of the supporting table, a carriage movable on said frame, a lath carried by said carriage and adapted to pass through the ends of said stems of the tobacco, means for releasing said clamping means, means for releasing said lath from said carriage when the latter is in the forward end of said framefand means for removing the lath and the tobacco carried thereby from said table.

In a tobacco hanging machine, a frame, a tobacco supporting table, clamping means for holding the ends of the stems of the tobacco beyond the edge of the supporting table, a carriage movable on said frame, a lath carried by said carriage and adapted to pass through the ends of said stems of the tobacco, means for releasing said clamping means, means for releasing said lath from said carriage when the latter is in the forward end of said frame, means for removing the lath and the tobacco carried thereby from said table, and an elevator adapted to receive said lath and tobacco carrried thereby from said table.

4. In a tobacco hanging machine, a frame, a tobacco supporting table, clamping means for holding the ends of the stems of the tobacco beyond the edge of the supporting table, a carriage movable on said frame, a lath carried by said carriage and adapted to pass through the ends of said stems of tobacco, means forl releasing said clamping means, means for releasing said lath from said carriage when the latter is in the forward end of said frame, means for removing the lath and the tobacco carried thereby from said table, and means for returning said carriage and table to their normal positions.

5. In a tobacco hanging machine, a stationary frame, a tobacco supporting table mounted at one end thereon, tobacco end receiving member secured on said frame adjacent the forward edge of said table, clamping means associated therewith for holding the outer ends of the tobacco therein, a hopper on the opposite end of the frame, laths supported therein, a carriage movable on said frame and normally disposed below said hopper, a lath carrying means carried by said carriage, means for feeding one lath at a time to said lath carrying means, said lath in said carriage adapted to extend through the outer ends of the tobacco when the carriage is moved to the forward end of the frame.

6. In a tobacco hanging machine, a stationary frame, a tobacco supporting table mounted on one end thereon, tobacco end receiving member secured on said frame adjacent the forward edge of said table, clamping means associated therewith for holding the outer ends o-f the tobacco therein, a hopper on the opposite end of the frame, laths supported therein, a carriage movable on said frame and normally disposed below said hopper, a lath carrying means carried by said carriage, means for feeding one lath at a time to said lath carrying mea-ns, said lath in said carriage adapted to extend through the outer ends of the tobacco when the carriage is moved to the forward end of the fra-me, and means carried by said carriage for releasing said clamping means.

7. In a tobacco hanging machine, a stationary frame, a tobacco supporting table mounted at one end thereon, tobacco end receiving member secured on said frame adjacent the forward edge of said table, clamping means associated therewith for holding the outer ends of the tobacco therein, a hopper on the opposite end of the frame, laths supported therein, a carriage movable on said frame and normally disposed below said hopper, a lath carrying means carried by said carriage, means for feeding one lath at a time to said lath carrying means, said lath in said carriage adapted to extend through the outer ends of the tobacco when the carriage is moved to the forward end of the frame, means carried by said carriage for releasing said clamping means, and means for releasing' the lath from the lath carrying means on said carriage.

8. In aI tobacco hanging machine, a stationary frame, a tobacco supporting table mounted at one end thereon, tobacco end receiving member secured on said frame adjacent the forward edge of said table, clamping means associated therewith for holding the outer ends of the tobacco therein, a hopper on the opposite end of the frame, laths supported therein, a carriage movable on said frame and normally disposed below said hopper, a lath carrying means carried by said carriage, means for feeding one lath at a time to said lath carrying means, said lath in said carriage adapted to extend through the outer ends of the tobacco when the carriage is moved to they forward end of the frame, means carried by said carriage for releasing said clamping means, means for releasing' the lath from the lath carrying means on said carriage, and means for moving said table and the tobacco with the laths carried thereby to a discharging position.

9. In a tobacco hanging machine, a sta* tionary frame, a tobacco supporting table mounted at one end thereon, tobacco end receiving member secured on said frame adjacent the forward edge of said table, clamping means associated therewith for holding the outer ends of the tobacco therein, a hopper on the opposite end of the frame, laths supported therein, a carriage movable on said frame and normally disposed below said hopper, a lath carrying means carried by said carriage, means for feeding one lath at a time to said lath carrying means, said lath in said carriage adapted to extend through the outer ends of the tobacco when the carriage is moved to the forward end of the frame, means carried by said carriage for releasing said clamping means, means for releasing the lath from the lath carrying means on said carriage, means for moving said table and the tobacco with the laths carried thereby to a discharging position, and an elevator adapted to receive said lath and the tobacco carried thereby from said table.

10. In a tobacco hanging machine, a stationary frame, a tobacco supporting tableI mounted at one end thereon, tobacco end receiving members secured on said frame adjacent the forward edge of said table, clamping means associated therewith for holding the outer ends of the tobacco therein, a hopper on the opposite end of the frame, laths supported therein, a carriage movable on said frame and normally disposed below said hopper, a lath carrying means carried by said carriage, means for feeding one lath at a time to said lath carrying means, said lath in said carriage adapted to extend through the outer ends of the tobacco when the carriage is moved to the forward end of the frame, means carried by said carriage for releasing said clamping means, means for releasing the lath from the lath carrying means on said carriage, means for moving said table and the tobacco with the laths carried thereby to a discharging position, and means for returning the table to its normal position.

11. In a tobacco hanging machine, a stationary frame, a tobacco supporting table hingedly supported on the forward end thereof, means for clamping the ends of the tobacco extending outwardly from said` table, a carriage movable on said frame and normally disposed in the rear end thereof, a lath carried by said carriage and an impaling member movably supported on the forward end of said lath, guide means for said impaling member, said impaling member and lath adapted to extend through the outer ends of said tobacco when the carriage is moved to the forward end of the frame, and means for releasing the impal ing member from the forward end of said lath after the latter has passed through all of the tobacco leaves.

12. In a tobacco hanging machine, a stationary frame, a tobacco supporting table hingedly supported on the forward end thereof, means for clamping the ends of the tobacco extending outwardly from said table, a carriage movable on said frame and normally disposed in the rear end thereof, a lath carried by said carriage and an impaling member movably supported on the forward end of said lath, guide means for said impaling member, said impaling member and lath adapted to extend through the outer ends of said tobacco when the carriage is moved to the forward end of the frame, means for releasing the impaling' member from the forward end of said lath after the latter has passed through all of the tobacco leaves, and means for returning the impaling member to its normal position.

13. In a tobacco hanging machine, a stationary frame, a tobacco supporting table hingedly supported -on the forward end thereof, means for clamping the ends of the tobacco extending' outwardly from said table, acarriage movable on said frame and normally disposed in the rear end thereof, a lath carried by said Carriage and an impaling" member movably supported on the forward end of said lath, guide means for said impaling member, said impaling member and lath adapted to extend through the outer ends of said tobacco when the carriage is moved to the forward end of the frame, means for releasing the impaling member from the forward end of said lath after the latter has passed through all of the tobacco leaves, means for returning the impaling member to its normal position, and means operable by said carriage for releasing said clamping means, simultaneously raising said table and the tobacco with the laths carried thereby to a. discharging position.

14. In a tobacco hanging machine, a stationary frame, a tobacco supporting table hingedly supported on the forward end thereof, means for clamping the ends of the tobacco extending outwardly fro-m said table, a carriage movable on said frame and normally disposed in the rear end thereof, a lath carried by said carriage and an impaling member movably supported on the forward end of said lath, guide means for said impaling member, said impaling member and lath adapted to extend through the outer ends of said tobacco when the earriage is moved to the forward end of the frame, means for releasing the impaling member from the forward end of said lath after the latter has passed through all of the tobacco leaves, means for returning the impaling member to its normal position, means operable by said carriage for releasing said clamping means, simultaneously raising said table and the tobacco with the laths carried thereby to a discharging position, and means for returning the table to its normal position.

15. In a tobacco hanging machine, a stationary frame, a tobacco supporting table hingedly mounted on the forward end thereof, an endless conveyor supported on said frame and cooperating with said table, a lath adapted to extend through the ends of the tobacco on said table, means for moving the laths into engagement with the tobacco ends, means for raising the table to deliver the tobacco thereon and the laths carried thereby onto said conveyor, and

means on said conveyor for supporting the laths and the tobacco Carried thereby thereon.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GEORGE R. I-IAWKS. 

